Clarify Platinum boarding

[Expatriat]

Although I've sailed Concierge many times and the boarding procedure is quite clear, my most recent cruises have been non-Concierge. As a Platinum, I always check in at the terminal at the Platinum/Concierge kiosks with no problem. The problem arises when it's time to board.

Platinum is given #1 boarding and is apparently supposed to go after the Concierge guests AND the "family of the day." Some CMs allow Platinum to pass through the Concierge waiting area and use that side door at that time, prior to main boarding. That works well. But others will take Platinums to the front of the HUGE queue that everyone else is raggedly lined up in, usually drawing the evil eye from many. Still others may just point to that main queue line, so good luck with that! It has been so disorganized for my last few cruises that I am, sadly, considering showing up about 1pm for my upcoming one.

My question: Does anyone here know DCL's official policy for Platinum boarding? My guess is as good as anyone's because I am Platinum a few times over, so I am not seeking other guesses, but this being the DIS I am hoping maybe SOMEONE knows the facts about Platinum boarding. Do they even have a standard procedure for that, or is it random according to the CM you happen to encounter? TIA

 

[mmouse37]

Sorry but I don't think anyone here has a definitive answer for you. Can only go by past experiences. As far as I know Platinum are not supposed to be sitting in the Concierge area and I have never been escorted to the front the line. Every cruise Platinums wait in the main terminal and board after the family of the day and handicapped folks when boarding #1 is called. The problem is EVERYONE waits at the entrance (as you know) and it is very hard to get to the entry way because so many people block the area (who have higher numbers). It is usually a struggle to get up there. I try to wait by the entrance but don't want to be a pain either. I think you were lucky the times you were escorted. I do not think that is the norm at all.

I tend to think they have a guideline but there is nothing set in stone about boarding in group 1. I have 34 cruises and I still sometimes get boarding #2. It is different each cruise. I wish there were enough seating so that everyone can sit until their boarding group is called to keep way clear for each group.

MJ

 

[Weedy]

We have sailed as Platinum from Port Canaveral a few times. We check in at the Concierge/ Platinum desk and then wait on the couches in the Concierge/Platinum area (not the lounge). They let us know that they were about to begin boarding so we made our way to the que area. The check in area is right next to the que so most of the crowd is behind you. We've never had a problem.
They board concierge then the family of the day. I've never seen them board handicapped families prior to everyone else.

 

[Expatriat]

Sorry but I don't think anyone here has a definitive answer for you. Can only go by past experiences. As far as I know Platinum are not supposed to be sitting in the Concierge area and I have never been escorted to the front the line. Every cruise Platinums wait in the main terminal and board after the family of the day and handicapped folks when boarding #1 is called. The problem is EVERYONE waits at the entrance (as you know) and it is very hard to get to the entry way because so many people block the area (who have higher numbers). It is usually a struggle to get up there. I try to wait by the entrance but don't want to be a pain either. I think you were lucky the times you were escorted. I do not think that is the norm at all.

I tend to think they have a guideline but there is nothing set in stone about boarding in group 1. I have 34 cruises and I still sometimes get boarding #2. It is different each cruise. I wish there were enough seating so that everyone can sit until their boarding group is called to keep way clear for each group.

MJ

I understand. I did not say anything about waiting in the Concierge seating area. I was referring to being led through that area and that door a few moments AFTER all Concierge have boarded. That is what I have experienced several times, after sitting in the waiting area for Platinums that is adjacent to the check-in kiosks but NOT in the Concierge "lounge" area. However, different CMs handle things differently. Some appear clueless. Some make it a quick and discreet process. With a scarce few it is a "just get in line with the masses" thing. That means if you are a #1 you either have to park yourself up there an hour or more before boarding, or be big and pushy, which I am not.

We have sailed as Platinum from Port Canaveral a few times. We check in at the Concierge/ Platinum desk and then wait on the couches in the Concierge/Platinum area (not the lounge). They let us know that they were about to begin boarding so we made our way to the que area. The check in area is right next to the que so most of the crowd is behind you. We've never had a problem.
They board concierge then the family of the day. I've never seen them board handicapped families prior to everyone else.

What you describe has usually been my experience. When it's been a bit of a problem is when they put up the tape/barrier making it difficult if not impossible to get to where the #1 boarders should be (I guess) without getting the evil eye. When it's the Fantasy, it can be a bit of a mob scene, because as MJ pointed out, far too many people with higher numbers block the way.

But thank you both for the your replies.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

My experience has been like @Weedy, especially for PC. We check in and then wait in the area, but not the Concierge lounge and just hang tight and get ready to line up as soon as we hear them announce the family of the day and then just make our way to the front. It's awkward at times as I don't want to jump in front of anyone with a 1 boarding number so I just politely ask around me what their number is and people don't seem to mind. Most people tend to still wear lanyards as well so spotting Platinum's is usually easy.

I know OP you mentioned you have to sort of be pushy to get up to the front and I know what you mean. I don't like it either, but you've clearly earned your Platinum status and if I'm there and they are boarding, I'm getting on the ship and I'll just be nice about it, but I'm going through, sorry I often think it's in the way people handle things and it's clear you have the right intentions

Heather

 

[mmouse37]

I understand. I did not say anything about waiting in the Concierge seating area. I was referring to being led through that area and that door a few moments AFTER all Concierge have boarded. That is what I have experienced several times, after sitting in the waiting area for Platinums that is adjacent to the check-in kiosks but NOT in the Concierge "lounge" area. However, different CMs handle things differently. Some appear clueless. Some make it a quick and discreet process. With a scarce few it is a "just get in line with the masses" thing. That means if you are a #1 you either have to park yourself up there an hour or more before boarding, or be big and pushy, which I am not.

What you describe has usually been my experience. When it's been a bit of a problem is when they put up the tape/barrier making it difficult if not impossible to get to where the #1 boarders should be (I guess) without getting the evil eye. When it's the Fantasy, it can be a bit of a mob scene, because as MJ pointed out, far too many people with higher numbers block the way.

But thank you both for the your replies.

Yes, I was just mentioning about the Concierge Lounge in general as I have seen many Platinum ask about being allowed in there to sit. Sorry I did not make that clear. As you say every CM is different. I would love to be escorted but never had that experience. We sail next month from Port Canaveral on the Fantasy and then again in Barcelona in September for the TA so will see what happens. At least in PC the routine is pretty standard but once you sail from another port I find it is very different.

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've only had one Platinum cruise, so far. We did not check in at the Concierge/Platinum desk. The line for returning CC members was shorter than the Concierge/Platinum one. So we used that. When boarding #1 was announced there were several Platinum groups waiting (behind the groups "just waiting" for their number to be called). Those of us with #1 basically said to them, "excuse me, it's our time to board" and walked ahead of them.

But it's a real pain to have to elbow our way through, apologizing all the way, just to take advantage one of the few platinum perks there are.

 

[Weedy]

It's so much better when sailing out of Miami. The entrance for Concierge and Platinum is at the back of the terminal downstairs so no one blocking the entrance. But then once you're upstairs you are right by the entrance to the ship while everyone else has to walk from the far end of the terminal

 

[gometros]

We had a similar experience to Princess Shooting when we cruised last month. We politely excused ourselves and made our way through the crowd. I did hear one woman indignantly ask if we were in group 1, but we were already past her and there was no reason to reply. Our being allowed to board was answer enough.

 

[phinz]

Who cares if they give you a stinkeye? They can just get over it. No matter where you are, just bull your way to the front (You *are* carrying a boarding number with a 1 on it) and don't bother giving anybody explanations. You owe them nothing. Just say excuse me and move through the crowd. Works for us every time we fly Business/First Class at the airport. It's not your fault they're all milling around, getting in the way and not waiting their turn.

If you can board from the Concierge side door, all the better, but I'll be dmaned if I'm going to have a boarding pass for #1 and not take advantage of it.

 

[Hundredacre]

We are not quite platinum, but WHAT??? That's crazy. I do not think platinum should have to fend for themselves like that. Dcl needs to get organized. The mob at the door has got to go.

 

[firsttimemom]

We recently had our first platinum cruise. We normally arrive at port early but this time boarding had already started so we waded through the throngs to get to the plat/concierge check in. There was a good sized line but it wasn't worth swimming back upstream to find out of the other lines were shorter. By the time we got checked in, they had just started on boarding group 8. The CM kindly took us to the front of the mickey ears.

 

[mmouse37]

We recently had our first platinum cruise. We normally arrive at port early but this time boarding had already started so we waded through the throngs to get to the plat/concierge check in. There was a good sized line but it wasn't worth swimming back upstream to find out of the other lines were shorter. By the time we got checked in, they had just started on boarding group 8. The CM kindly took us to the front of the mickey ears.

Maybe that is the trick...to arrive a bit later and then be escorted to the Mickey ears. As I mentioned upthread we have always gotten to the port early and have to position ourselves so we can get to the entrance when they call group 1...never were escorted to the ears...that would be nice.

MJ

 

[Donna M]

We just stood to the side of the entrance with our number 1, so we were positioned well.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Still on the Nagic now- posting before the show in WDT.

Copenhagen- Magic.

Check in at Concierge/ Platinum line.
Given this boarding card "'anytime".


concierge had own area.

Embarkation.

Family of the day.
Concierge- considered NO boarding card if in the concierge area. Roped off and lead in separately.
Some Platinum said we can go in anytime and tried to go. They were held back for concierge to clear.
Then Platinum allowed to go.
Then boarding cards 1-3.

DCL staff very firm on this.

Delay to Playinum was a minute.

 

[BarbossasWench]

We're platinum and arrived late (at about 11:30) and were told we would have to stand at the back of the line to embark because it was already moving. I told the cast member that we were platinum and was told that (because we were late) we would have to wait with everyone else. I was determined to have a good time so I just shrugged it off, but wondered what the benefit was to being platinum if they weren't going to treat us as such.

 

[Hundredacre]

We're platinum and arrived late (at about 11:30) and were told we would have to stand at the back of the line to embark because it was already moving. I told the cast member that we were platinum and was told that (because we were late) we would have to wait with everyone else. I was determined to have a good time so I just shrugged it off, but wondered what the benefit was to being platinum if they weren't going to treat us as such.

Ridiculous. 11:30 is hardly late.

 

[Expatriat]

We're platinum and arrived late (at about 11:30) and were told we would have to stand at the back of the line to embark because it was already moving. I told the cast member that we were platinum and was told that (because we were late) we would have to wait with everyone else. I was determined to have a good time so I just shrugged it off, but wondered what the benefit was to being platinum if they weren't going to treat us as such.

That's why I started this thread. I wondered if everyone else also experienced inconsistency with boarding as Platinum. It seems they maybe don't even have an official policy, but leave it up to the CMs to determine what to do with each situation. Not good. I've done a lot of cruises as Platinum and still never know what to expect for boarding.

 

[phinz]

Ridiculous. 11:30 is hardly late.

Agreed. I'd have found another cast member. Preferably one in a sports coat and a supervisory position.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Agreed. I'd have found another cast member. Preferably one in a sports coat and a supervisory position.

A man after my own heart.